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Mamelodi Sundowns has overtaken Kaizer Chiefs just in time of death to lift a third Absa Premiership title at the top, their 3-0 win over Black Leopards on Saturday at Dobsonville Stadium was enough to crown them champions, because Amakhosi could only draw 1-1 with Baroka FC at Bidvest Stadium.
It was a desperately disappointing final day for Ernst Middendorp’s men, who led the table for over a year but failed to beat Bakgaga when it mattered, Khama Billiat’s goal in the first half was canceled by the header in the second half. by the Mozambican Manuel Kambala.
The result meant the Chiefs finished the season within two points of Pitso Mosimane’s Sundowns, who won four of their last five games to overtake Amakhosi at the finish line. Surprisingly, this is the first time the Sundowns have topped the table all season.
His goals at Dobsonville came from a Lebo Maboe hat-trick, which gave Pitso Mosimane’s Tshwane giants a fifth league title in seven seasons.
ALSO READ: Hat-trick hero Maboe praises Sundowns mentality after title win
Dylan Kerr’s Baroka, meanwhile, avoided a place in the relegation play-offs with their point, finishing ahead of Leopards on goal difference.
Gerald Phiri Jnr put an early free kick over the bar for Baroka, but the Chiefs made the most of the run, with Dylan Kerr’s Bakgaga happy to try and hit them at the break.
In the 6th In the minute, the Chiefs could have calmed their nerves when Daniel Cardoso threw a good cross from the right, but Lebo Manyama missed the ball and Billiat flinched, the ball sliding through the area and out of danger.
Samir Nurkovic was a constant thorn in Baroka’s side, and he wanted a penalty when he fell under the challenge of Denwin Farmer, but referee Abongile Tom rejected the appeals.
Nurkovic then had a shot at the near post well stopped by Elvis Chipezeze, and the Zimbabwean goalkeeper made an even better save on 24th minute, pulling a long-range rocket away from Reeve Frosler.
Billiat then stepped closer when he threw a kick over the head, but it wasn’t long before the Chiefs attacker beat his international teammate Chipezeze.
In 39th In the minute, Itumeleng Khune showed the timing skills he’s known for, as he sent a brilliant long pass to Nurkovic, who put the chest to Billiat. There was still a lot to do for Billiat, but his first touch took him past two Baroka defenders, and he fired a low shot at Chipezeze.
The Chiefs deservedly went into halftime ahead, though they were lucky at halftime when Khune, whose positional awareness has been uncertain at times on his return to the team, shot off his line to intercept a long ball from Baroka. and clearly managed on the edge of his own penalty area. The referee, however, was unable to detect the misdemeanor.
Baroka came out with much more intent after the break, looking for the goal that would get them out of relegation danger.
In the 55th minute Kambala had a chance on the edge of the area, but his effort was weak and deflected in any case.
Two minutes later, Erick Mathoho was close to the Chiefs at the other end, but his header from a Manyama corner went over the bar.
And Baroka leveled in the 59th minute, when Phiri Jnr took a free kick and Kambala headed past Khune.
Despite the Chiefs pushing for a winner, they couldn’t find a way to pass, with Chipezeze especially impressive on Baroka’s goal.
And when Mathoho headed wide in injury time, Amakhosi’s chance was gone.
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